“Andrew’s Brain,” by E.L. Doctorow. (Random House, Jan. 14) From the best-selling author of “Ragtime,” “Billy Bathgate” and other titles, “Andrew’s Brain” is, quite literally, a head trip — through the mind of a man who’s been an agent of disaster on more than one occasion. Readers who take this trip may find themselves contemplating some of the thorny, compelling bits of existence: truth, fate and memory among them. less

“Andrew’s Brain,” by E.L. Doctorow. (Random House, Jan. 14) From the best-selling author of “Ragtime,” “Billy Bathgate” and other titles, “Andrew’s Brain” is, quite literally, a head trip ... more

“Orfeo,” by Richard Powers. (W.W. Norton & Co., Jan. 20) Winner of the 2006 National Book Award for “The Echo Maker,” Powers returns with a novel that speaks to his ongoing infatuation with the convergence of science and art. In “Orfeo,” a music composition professor who dabbles in genetic engineering — which is a different form of composition, after all — arouses suspicions in post-9/11 America. Professor Peters Els hits the road to evade capture by local and federal authorities, leaving him plenty of time to ponder his life and work. less

“Orfeo,” by Richard Powers. (W.W. Norton & Co., Jan. 20) Winner of the 2006 National Book Award for “The Echo Maker,” Powers returns with a novel that speaks to his ongoing infatuation with the ... more

“The Guts,” by Roddy Doyle. (Viking, Jan. 27) Is the band getting back together? Doyle’s debut novel, “The Commitments” (1987), launched his career in books and movies. “The Guts,” a sequel, drops back in on Jimmy Rabbite and company, who were determined to bring soul music to Dublin in the 1980s with their band, the Commitments. Jimmy is now pushing 50, with a wife and four kids. Is it time to reconnect with his past? less

“The Guts,” by Roddy Doyle. (Viking, Jan. 27) Is the band getting back together? Doyle’s debut novel, “The Commitments” (1987), launched his career in books and movies. “The Guts,” a sequel, drops ... more

“Cockroaches,” by Jo Nesbø. (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard, Feb. 4) The second book in the Harry Hole crime series will be published for the first time in the U.S. Nesbø, a Norwegian writer whose books have been translated into nearly 40 languages, sends Oslo-based inspector Harry Hole to Bangkok after the Norwegian ambassador is found dead in a brothel. Is it an isolated murder, or part of a bigger and infinitely more debaucherous tale? less

“Cockroaches,” by Jo Nesbø. (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard, Feb. 4) The second book in the Harry Hole crime series will be published for the first time in the U.S. Nesbø, a Norwegian writer whose books have ... more

“e.e. cummings: a life,” by Susan Cheever. (Pantheon Books, Feb. 11) A biography of the radical, innovative poet, whose spare style and precise phrasing made him one of the most widely read poets in the U.S. by the time of his death in 1962. Cheever considers cummings’ legacy from his childhood in Cambridge, Mass., to his later years in Greenwich Village. less

“e.e. cummings: a life,” by Susan Cheever. (Pantheon Books, Feb. 11) A biography of the radical, innovative poet, whose spare style and precise phrasing made him one of the most widely read poets in the ... more

“The Parallel Apartments,” by Bill Cotter. (McSweeney’s, Feb. 11) In the press material for this novel, Austin-based Cotter is described as “a Texan Gabriel García Márquez who writes tragicomic twists reminiscent of John Kennedy Toole.” This story follows a pregnant woman who arrives in Austin and ends up surrounded by a group of (sometimes lovable) misfits. less

“The Parallel Apartments,” by Bill Cotter. (McSweeney’s, Feb. 11) In the press material for this novel, Austin-based Cotter is described as “a Texan Gabriel García Márquez who writes tragicomic twists ... more

“Bark: Stories,” by Lorrie Moore. (Knopf Doubleday, Feb. 25) Moore’s fiction is intimate, weird, universal, specific and addicting. Along with Alice Munro and George Saunders, she’s one of the best short story writers around. Of the eight that appear in this new collection, seven have been published elsewhere — three in the New Yorker. But it never hurts to reread Moore. The stories still haunt. less

“Bark: Stories,” by Lorrie Moore. (Knopf Doubleday, Feb. 25) Moore’s fiction is intimate, weird, universal, specific and addicting. Along with Alice Munro and George Saunders, she’s one of the best ... more

“Busted: A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of Brotherly Love,” by Wendy Ruderman and Barbara Laker. (Harper, March 11) As investigative reporters for the Philadelphia Daily News, this writing duo won a Pulitzer Prize for their series on police corruption in Philadelphia. The story starts with Benny Martinez, a drug informant who walked into their newspaper offices and spilled some secrets. It ends by exposing the dirty dealings of an elite narcotics squad. less

“Busted: A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of Brotherly Love,” by Wendy Ruderman and Barbara Laker. (Harper, March 11) As investigative reporters for the Philadelphia Daily News, this writing ... more

“Busted: A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of... Photo-5689533.77235 - Houston Chronicle

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“America’s Fiscal Constitution: Its Triumph and Collapse,” by Bill White. (PublicAffairs, April 1) From Houston’s former mayor, a book about federal debt. It used to be that the U.S. government borrowed only to preserve the union, and then imposed tax rates to reduce the burden of debt, White argues. Today, with the link between spending and taxing broken, White looks for past lessons to help balance the present-day budget. less

“America’s Fiscal Constitution: Its Triumph and Collapse,” by Bill White. (PublicAffairs, April 1) From Houston’s former mayor, a book about federal debt. It used to be that the U.S. government borrowed ... more

“Above the East China Sea,” by Sarah Bird. (Random House, May 27) This Austin writer’s new novel twists together stories of young people separated by time: one part takes place in 1945 Okinawa, the other in the present day U.S. In this serious work, Bird explores the parallels and differences between two generations marked by war, loss and perseverance. less

“Above the East China Sea,” by Sarah Bird. (Random House, May 27) This Austin writer’s new novel twists together stories of young people separated by time: one part takes place in 1945 Okinawa, the other ... more